India explores mine of opportunity at UNSW

02 June 2005

The Indian Government is looking to the University of New South Wales to help boost its economy through expanding the country's mining industry.

A high-level Indian delegation visited the School of Mining Engineering yesterday to explore training and collaborative research opportunities.

Hosted by the Dean of Engineering, Professor Brendon Parker and Head of the School of Mining Engineering, Professor Bruce Hebblewhite, the delegation included Shri Ashok Kumar Mehta, Director of the Ministry of Mines, Shri S Sengupta, Director General of Geological Survey India and Shri Meerul Hasan, Controller of Mines, Indian Bureau of Mines.

Delegation leader Shri Mehta said a key goal is to form a tripartite agreement with the School of Mining Engineering, Australian mining companies and India's Mineral Exploration Corp Ltd to exploit coal bed methane.

"Australia's mining operations are large scale," Shri Mehta said. "In India our mining operations are small but if they stay that way our economy cannot grow. We are looking to expand with Australian technology and expertise."

He said he hoped to send mining engineers to train at UNSW, and to possibly establish a scholarship in the future.

Shri Hasan expressed strong interest in training in mineral processing, mine closures and community development. "However we develop it must benefit Indian society," he said.

Professor Hebblewhite said there are many opportunities for the Indian mining industry to work more closely with the School, which already has a long-standing association with the country.

For more information see the School of Mining Engineering's website.